Leaving the Lawn Alone: Allowing Nature to Thrive in Your Garden
Regular lawn mowing frequency during summer season for a healthy lawn growth.
Summer's here, and it's time for some garden maintenance, right? Wrong! Or at least, not entirely. Mowing the lawn is a common summer garden chore, but how often should you really do it? According to the German Environmental and Nature Conservation Association (BUND), the less you mow, the better it is for nature. And it's not just animals that benefit.
Mowing your lawn should be done as sparingly as possible, ideally only when the grass has grown to about 20 centimeters tall—the highest cutting height your lawnmower can offer. This method helps many flowering plants to remain standing, contributing to biodiversity.
Timing is crucial when mowing your lawn. To give insects a chance to escape, it's best to mow at different times during the day. If you can, leave an island or a border strip filled with flowering plants.
Tips for a Flourishing Green Garden
Frequently used areas can be mowed more often, but don't forget to remove the cut grass from the lawn afterward to prevent too many nutrients from entering the soil.
Benefits of Minimal Mowing
When you reduce mowing, you open the door for wildflowers like clover, daisies, and dandelions to flourish. These plants are valuable for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, as they provide nectar and pollen. A thick lawn also serves as safe haven for critters like hedgehogs, field mice, and amphibians.
For a healthy balance between a neat lawn and a flourishing meadow, aim to mow your lawn to about five centimeters high. This height allows many herbs to bloom while still allowing the lawnmower to handle the next grass growth without much trouble, as recommended by the DGG 1822. However, avoid leaving the grass clippings as mulch on the lawn, as this can encourage nutrient-rich soil, which may not be suitable for the desired flowering meadow plants.
Final Thoughts
By reducing your mowing frequency, you'll encourage biodiversity, attract beneficial insects, retain soil moisture, and promote pest control. It's a win-win for your garden and the environment. So, next time you're considering mowing your lawn, think twice, and give nature a chance!
The community policy encourages homeowners to adopt a lifestyle that prioritizes minimal lawn maintenance, including less frequent mowing, to promote biodiversity and support local wildlife. Employment policies could be revised to accommodate flexible working hours, allowing homeowners to tend to their home-and-garden during non-traditional hours, thus reducing the need for pesticides and contributing to a sustainable gardening practice.
Adopting a more natural approach to lawn care, such as allowing wildflowers like clover, daisies, and dandelions to thrive, not only benefits pollinators like bees and butterflies but also contributes to a healthier, more balanced garden ecosystem. This aligns with many individuals' lifestyle preferences, favoring a more organic, less-manicured living space that encourages and coexists with nature.
